Events and Happenings

*Now through September 2

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Convention Center

Presented in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival, Beyond Van Gogh is the largest immersive experience in the country, occupying over 30,000 square feet. Through the use of cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, you will feel like you are part of over 300 of Van Gogh’s works. The experience takes about an hour, with the last entry being one hour prior to closing.

TIME: Tues-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am – 9pm, Sun 10am-7pm, Closed Mondays.

COST: Child $23.99 Adult pricing ranging from $34.99-$79.99

Beyond Van Gogh Virginia Beach: The Immersive Experience

*Now through November 18

Every Wednesday and Saturday

Chesapeake Farmers’ Market at City Park

Chesapeake | Chesapeake City Park Marketplace Shelter

This open-air market’s mission is to promote and support local farmers by providing an opportunity for citizens to purchase their agricultural goods direct from the source. Items range from fruits and vegetables, fresh honey, plants and flowers, grass fed beef and pork, free range chickens, jams, jellies, pickles and more.

TIME: 8am-12pm

COST: FREE

Chesapeake Farmers' Market at City Park (visitchesapeake.com)

*September 3,10,17,24, October 1,8,15,22,29

Movies in the Plaza

Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Town Center Plaza

Join us every Saturday evening, after sundown in for our second annual Movies in the Plaza . Catch a free, family friendly outdoor film in the beautiful Town Center Fountain Plaza. Order to-go and enjoy your meal in the plaza or make dinner reservations before the show and treat the family to a true “dinner and a movie” experience. With over 20 restaurants to choose from, there is something for everyone! Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets, but per law, no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Fountain Plaza.

TIME: 8:30 p.m.

COST: Free

Movies In The Plaza - Town Center of Virginia Beach (towncentervb.com

*August 10, 17, 24, Sept. 5

Symphony By the Sea Concert Series

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park, 3100 Atlantic Ave.

Neptune Festival's Symphony by the Sea Concert Series, presented by The Breeden Company. Arrive early, as the concerts are well-attended and will fill the park. While all concerts are free, a VIP Series Membership, which includes reserved seating and more, is available for purchase.

TIME: 7:30-9 p.m.

COST: Free

Symphony By The Sea Concert Series | Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

*August 12

ODU Big Blue 5k

Norfolk | Old Dominion University, Bluestone Ave.

Go Big Blue! The 9th running of the Big Blue 5K presented by Bon Secours takes participants on a 5K tour of the Old Dominion University campus and finishes on the 50 yard line on Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Participants are invited to celebrate their race at the Post Race Tailgate Party! Registration now open.

TIME: 8 a.m.

COST: $50 https://www.bigblue5k.com/

*August 19-October 21

The Sandler Center Miller Jazz Series

Virginia Beach | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Purchase tickets now for the Sandler Center Miller Jazz Series at YnotTix.com

August 17 - Lori’s Jazz Lonuge. The series welcomes singer Lori Williams! Lori has traveled for over 30 years singing all over the world. She was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award in 2014 for her depiction as Ella Fitzgerald in “Ladies Sing the Bliues”. She will be accompanied by John Toomy on piano, Jimmy Masters on bass and Chuck Redd on drums.

September 14 – Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. This will feature music from both of these powerhouses in the Jazz world, an iconic writing duo! John Toomy on piano, Jimmy Masters on bass and Tony Martucci on drums

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $23 https://ynottixsc.evenue.net/

*August 26

8th Annual Neptune’s Coastal Craft Brew Festival

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park, 3001 Atlantic Ave.

Neptune's Coastal Craft Beer Festival will feature local Virginia beers as well as national and regional craft beers. Enjoy over 60 beers from 30 breweries, live music, food trucks and more. Each ticket includes a commemorative beer-tasting glass and unlimited tastings throughout the day. Ages 21+ Only. No Pets. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. All bags and coolers will be inspected at the gate.

TIME: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

COST: $45

*August 19-20

35th Annual Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

Suffolk | Pow Wow Grounds, 1001 Pembroke Ln.

All are welcome at this family friendly event featuring Native American song, dance, food and crafts. Grand entry will be at noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

TIME: Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

COST: Free

*September 3 Symphony Under the Stars

Chesapeake | Chesapeake City Park

Enjoy classic, pop and jazz music live from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on the Bagley stage. A variety of food trucks will provide options for an evening picnic. Bring your own chairs or blanket (Pop-up tents, oversized umbrellas and feather flags not permitted.)

TIME: Parking and concessions open at 6 p.m.

COST: Free admission and on-site parking; other purchases vary

*September 11

Roar & Pour

Norfolk | Virginia Zoo

This year, the Virginia Zoo and the Coastal Virginia Brewery Alliance are partnering to host an annual gathering of hyper-local brewers for an all-new event – Roar & Pour!

Join us for beer samplings from the finest that Coastal Virginia has to offer, alongside extended exhibit hours, a Food Truck Rodeo, live music, games, a kid’s play area, an expanded VIP section, and much more.

TIME: 5:30p.m.-9:00p.m.

COST: Adults: starting at $22 Youth (ages 2-20) $16, Toddlers (2 and under) Free

*September 16-17

2023 NAS Oceana Air Show

Virginia Beach | Naval Air Station Oceana

This year’s theme, 50 Years of Women in Naval Aviation, pays tribute to all the Navy’s women trailblazers, from “The First Six” to earn their Wings of Gold in 1973, to the brave women who have since chosen to serve their Nation in the skies. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service. The 2023 NAS Oceana Air Show, will proudly feature the Navy’s premiere flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels; the F-35C II Lightning Demonstration Team; and the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team! The NAS Oceana Air Show is our chance to give back to our military families and our community. This year, we look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country and around the world to come onboard the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base, experience the wonder of flight firsthand, and meet the exceptional men and women of naval aviation.. Check the website for more information as it develops.

TIME: Gates open at 8:00 a.m. with the show beginning at 10:00 a.m.

COST: General Admission and Parking is free with Upgrades available between $15-$125

*September 16-17

26th Annual Fall Wine Festival

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park at 31st St. and Atlantic Avenue

Join your friends by the oceanfront for an afternoon hosted by Virginia's leading vineyards. Taste from over 60 wines while you meet and greet the fascinating people who forge Virginia's reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase the wines you like by the bottle and case.

TIME: Noon to 5 p.m. daily

Cost: Advance Tickets: $40 (Until July 15 or allotment has been reached); Tier 2: $45 (Through September 9); Tier 3: $50 (Beginning Sept 10, until Sold Out); Saturday Early Entry Ticket: $60 (advance purchase only, includes exclusive access to the event one hour prior to standard ticket holder access. A limited number of tickets will be sold at this level); Sunday Tasting; TABLES: $430 for Saturday and $380 for Sunday. (Includes eight tickets to the event, a reserved table with chairs, a plant centerpiece to take home, PLUS an ice bucket filled with 1 bottle of wine and 8 bottles of water!)

26th Annual Fall Wine Festival | Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

*September 29th – October 1st

49th Annual Boardwalk Weekend

Virginia Beach | Oceanfront 6th-36th Streets

2023 marks the 49th anniversary for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival with daily concerts at festival stages, scattered along 30 blocks of the boardwalk, featuring 20+ performances from local, regional and national recording artists. On the boardwalk, you can find over 200 artisans displaying handmade work at an Art & Craft Show that has been ranked No. 5 out of 200 Fine Art and Design Shows across the country. Keep walking to find 22 magnificent sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors at Neptune's International Sandsculpting Championship. Other weekend events include Neptune's 8k Race, Grand Parade, Volleyball Tournament, Atlantic Regatta, Youth Art Show and more. See the website for information on all Boardwalk Weekend events.

TIME: Fri., Sept. 29 noon-11 p.m., Sat., Sept. 30 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun., Oct 1, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

COST: Free to attend

49th Annual Boardwalk Weekend | Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

*October 1

Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Oceanfront (Details TBD)

Multiple classes tack and jibe their way from Cape Henry to Rudee Inlet during this great recreational race as Neptune gets a little more nautical with Neptune's Atlantic Regatta. Need a break from the boardwalk action? Check out the boats’ arrival at Rudee Inlet in the afternoon or hang out at 24th Street Park to watch the finish. Neptune's Atlantic Regatta is Broad Bay Sailing Association's last race of the season, and is also a CBYRAsanctioned event. Starting off Little Creek, racers transit the Chesapeake Bay BridgeTunnel, sail down the coast, and finish off 24th street. After a night of fun at the festival, participants leave the event's complimentary Rudee Inlet dockage and return home. This race is part of the Southern Bay Distance Racing Series (SBDRS).

TIME: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

COST: Free https://virginiabeach.guide/events/neptunes-atlantic-regatta/

*September 29-October 8

International Sand Sculpting Competition

Virginia Beach | Oceanfront 6th-8th Streets

With a world-class venue, talent and prize purse, Neptune's International Sandsculpting Championship has distinguished itself as a premier event unlike any other. This signature event of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival since its inception has grown to the most prestigious event of its kind in the nation. With an international field of sculptors representing 11 countries from around the world, watch the professionals turn grains of sand into works of art in just three days.

TIME: Friday, 9/24: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday, 9/25: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday, 9/26: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday - Wednesday: 9/27 - 9/29: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Thursday, 9/30: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (City Employee Appreciation Day)

Friday - Sunday, 10/1 - 10/3: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

COST: Admission: $5 per person. 12 and under free while accompanied by adult. https://www.neptunefestival.com/events/international-sand-sculptingchampionship#hours

*Now through December 31

Haunted Williamsburg

Williamsburg | Colonial Williamsburg

From authentic 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters, Haunted Williamsburg is the only tour with exclusive access to historic outdoor spaces, featuring costumed storytellers who share their unnerving tales. This one-hour candlelit walking ghost tour takes you strolling through town, into gardens, and beyond the barriers to our most haunted sites. The tour begins at the Play House Stage on Palace Green and is suitable for ages 8 and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Weather permitting: runs rain or shine, except in cases of severe inclement or cold weather. Pets are not permitted. Haunted Williamsburg is the official ghost tour experience of Colonial Williamsburg.

TIME: Daily 7-8 p.m., 8:30-9:30 p.m.

COST: Adult $19; Youth (6-12) $12; Child (Under 6) $12 https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/events/haunted-williamsburg/

*October 7

An Evening with Russle Howard

Norfolk | Attucks Theater

After the global success of his second Netflix special Lubricant, six seasons of The Russell Howard Hourspawning over 500 million views worldwide on social media (airing on Sky in the UK), and his fastest-selling, sold-out UK tour to date with a brand-new show, Russell Howard Live, British stand-up Russell Howard (BBC’s Russell Howard’s Good News) announces his eagerly anticipated return to the USA with an East Coast leg for Autumn 2023, produced by Live Nation.

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

COST: Starting at $42 https://www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/russell-howard

*October 21 - 22

35th Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival

Norfolk | Town Point Park

Experience Hampton Roads’ most anticipated Wine Festival of the fall season along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world. This year’s fall favorite will showcase more than 30 wineries with over 200 of the Commonwealth’s finest wine varieties. Festival guests can enjoy the company of friends and family along the Elizabeth River for a weekend-long harvest of Virginia wineries in Town Point Park. Budding sommeliers and everyday enthusiasts can sample and purchase premier wine vintages and enjoy live musical performances, along with gourmet foods and specialty wares.

TIME: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

COST: Saturday General Admission Advance: $35 Day of: $40 Sunday General Admission https://festevents.org/events/2023/fallwinefest/